Apparatus for the filing and automatic selection of filing cards, folders and the like



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o m 4 C Sept. 4, 1962 Filed Feb. 5, 1959 INVENTOR. MA w coupe 'GAIZMCA Mwu MC. S. STILMM United States Patent 3 052 509 APPARATUS FOR THIi. FI LING AND AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF FILING CARDS, FOLDERS AND 14 Claims. ((11. 312 -319) This invention relates to apparatus for the filing and automatic selection of filing cards, folders and other similar articles, and particularly to rotary apparatus whose contents (filing cards, folders or the like) are retained during the rotation of the apparatus by means of individual supports locking each compartment and supporting the filed or classified elements at the edges thereof.

Such apparatus usually is provided with an automatic mechanism, actuated by keys, which permits the instantaneous selection of the desired compartment, and with a second selector key system which is also automatic and which rapidly finds the card or like element required. These mechanisms may also be used on non-rotary cardindexes and filing systems.

The object of the present invention is to provide improvements in apparatus of the kind referred to.

Apparatus according to this invention includes a mechanism for the selection of compartments and is characterised in that stop means for countering the rotation of the apparatus form a part of the mechanism and comprise two elements turnable respectively in directions perpendicular to one another.

The mechanism for selecting the desired compartments has a key system provided with as many keys as the apparatus has compartments, each of the said keys being connected to a spindle subjected to the action of tension springs and actuating catches which, in turn, are connected by an appropriate rod or draw-member to a plurality of rocking levers carrying rollers on their operative ends, the rollers being adapted to enter into contact with abutments or actuating members secured at appropriate positions on the external wall of the rotary body of the apparatus. The mechanism is secured to the internal wall of the box containing the rotary body of the apparatus. With the said mechanism there co-operates stop members on the rotary body for stopping the rotary body and the purpose of which it is to facilitate the locking thereof at the instant at which the selector finds the desired compartment.

Catches actuated by the spindles of the keys turn about pivot pins extending from the internal wall of the box containing the compartment-selecting mechanism, each catch being connected to the end of a tension spring which, is connected at its other end to a key spindle and which constitutes means for automatically restoring the catch to its original position when the selective task of the mechanism has been completed.

The stop means includes two elements each of which is turnable about an axis that is located in a plane perpendicular to that of the other and one of which is turnable toward the rotatable body for engagement with one of a plurality of stop members secured to the outer wall thereof. The other element is provided with a powerful stopping mechanism to damp the impact resulting from the sudden stopping of the rotary body by the abovementioned stop means due to the action of the selector mechanism. There is furthermore provided a stop element positioned rearwardly of the stopping mechanism for preventing oscillation of the assembly in the opposite direction due to the pressure resulting from the impact of the stop means.

The mechanism for selecting compartments may be ice completely automatic, due to the connection thereto of a suitable electric motor the contacts of which are actuated by means of the connecting member between the key spindles and the stopping mechanism, on the one hand, and the catch of the support members securing the filing cards in each compartment, on the other hand, save in those cases in which, in view of the fact that an automatic means for the closure of the said compartments has already been pr-ovided, this latter embodiment is unnecessary.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away to show the construction of a compartment-selecting mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of some of the elements of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

The improvement forming the subject of the invention relates to the compartment-selecting mechanism diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1. The wall 35 of the rotary member of the apparatus is shown in part. On the rear side of the said wall as viewed in FIG. 1 are actuating members 36, the number of which is equal to the number of compartments and the positions of which differ radially and circumferentially with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary member and depending on the compartment concerned. Also provided are stop members 37 which are disposed at equal radial distance from the said centre of rotation. Analogously with the afore-mentioned actuating members 36 there is one of these stop members 37 for each compartment.

The mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1 will be more easily understood if the operation thereof is considered. When one of the keys 38 mounted on a stationary support 138 is touched, a spindle 39 associated therewith is caused to descend with it and, therewith, there also descends a tooth 39 secured to the spindle 39. The said descending movement releases a catch 40, whereupon the said catch rotates about its pivot pin 41 in the clockwise direction due to the action exerted upon it by a spring 42. The pivot pin 41 of the said catch is disposed on the external wall or support 138 of the apparatus.

This movement of the catch 49 initiates, through the agency of a rod 43, turning movement of preselected second control means 44 on a pivot 44' into an operative position. The free end of the control means 44 terminates in a roller 45 which, due to the turning of the control means, projects out from the remainder of the assembly and adopts a position which is such that when the rotary member of the apparatus rotates, the corresponding actuating member 36, disposed at a predetermined distance from the axis of the rotary member relatively thereto, slidingly engages the roller 45 and compels the respective control means 44 to return to its inoperative normal position in alignment with the remainder of the second control means 44. The reverse movement of the control means 44 carrying the roller 45 compels the catch 40, by means of the rod 43, to return to its initial position. Since the spring 42 is connected to the said catch 40 and to the spindle 39 of the key 38, the aforesaid movement of the said catch will, due to the tractive efiect of the spring 42, compel the upward movement of the spindle 39 and of the key 38 which thus are returned to their initial inoperative positions.

The free ends of the spindles 39 of each actuated key hear, when they move down, on a turntable first control means 46 which moves the stopping mechanism of the apparatus into a releasing position by turning elements 46, 46 so that portion 47a of the stop means 47, 47', 49, 50 is moved toward wall 35 while stops 49, 50 move out of the path of stops 37 on wall 35 of the rotary member. In this manner, wall 35 is free to rotate until a compartment selected by depression of the respective key 38 reaches a position adjacent keys 33. The stopping mecanism comprises two elements 47, 47'; the element 47 is mounted for turning on a spindle 47 and is subjected to the action of a torsion spring 48 which tends to maintain it against the wall 35 of the rotary member. The element 47, which carries two upper wings or stops 49 and 50, is'mounted on the element 47 for turning about a pivot 51 and is therefore disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of turning about the axis of shaft 47". Due to this arrangement, when the rotary element of the apparatus is set in motion and the actuating member 36 brings about the raising of the corresponding key by turning element 44 to its initial position, stop 49, 56 moves forwardly, as shown in FIG. 1, until its inner face reaches a position very near the wall 35, due to the action of the spring 48. When the stop 49 reaches the corresponding stop member 37 on wall 35 it is permitted to pass by the yieldable biasing action of the spring 48. The stop member 37 then encounters the projecting stop 50 and impinges against the same, although the impact is dampened due to the limited turning of the element 47 on the spindle i and due to the provision of two powerful springs 52 which are laterally secured to the element 47.

Rearwardly of the element 47', as viewed in FIG. 1, in the upper portion of the compartment occupied by the same, is a plate 53 which serves as a stop means preventing the rearward displacement or turning of the element 4-7, together with the element 47. As aforementioned the spring 48 cannot be a very powerful spring in order to permit the stop members 37 and 49 to pass each other, whereas a considerable force is required for the depression of the keys 38. It is thus easy to understand that without the plate 53 the mechanism could easily be damaged in that the stopping mechanism would yield rearwardly and would not stop the rotary member. Due to the arrangement of the element 53, when the element 47' begins to turn on its pivot 51 it bears against the element 53 and is not able to yield rearwardly when it is displaced from its initial centralposition, since its special shape prevents this.

The selector mechanism is also able to function in the direction opposite to that described with the aid of a recoil means which is not described for the sake of sime i ts- Furthermore, the compartment-selecting system can easily be made completely automatic with the aid of an electric motor of adequate power, the contacts of which are connected with the locking or supporting mechanisms mentioned at the outset of this specification. The first contact should be associated with the turntable. element 46. (FIG. 1) so that, when any one of the keys 38 is pressed, the circuit should be closed, whereas the other contact Should be arranged in such manner that it is actuated to. open the circuit when the opening of the support means for the cards or the like disposed in the compartments is effected. To this end, the lever 12 can serve as a switching lever bringing about the locking of the apparatus when the compartment is in the open position. In the, same manner, with the variants corresponding to each specific case, an electrically operated automatic control system can be used for each compartment-locking system, combined with the selector mechanism for the same, so that it is only necessary to depress the corresponding key 38- in order to automatically bring about the placing of the required compartment in the corresponding position and th opening or separation of the support means provided therefor.

The apparatus is made completely automatic with the aid of the key system for selecting cards or the like contained in the compartments, which, to this end, are provided with a special tooth arrangement on their upper edge and are disposed in a specific order of classification in order that the said automatic selector shall act upon them.

The key system for selecting cards comprises as many keys, with their stylus-like members and corresponding mechanisms, as the cards have edges, only one specific key and the mechanisms thereof being shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. It will be clearly seen from FIG. 2, and from the illustration of details shown in FIG. 3, that a casing 54 of the key system is disposed on a compartment of the filing system and contains a key 55 articulated at 56 to an element or stylus-like member 57 which, in turn, is articulated at 58 to a link 59 articulated on a driving lever 60, so-called in view of the fact that, by means of a spring 61, it turns the stylus-like member 57 in the anti-clockwise direction (FIG. 2).

If pressure is applied to the key 55, a bar 62, secured on the walls of the apparatus, compels the tip 63 of the styluslike member 57 to advance towards the left (FIG. 2) until it passes over the first cards. The bar 62 then slidingly engages the upper end of a concave indentation 64 (FIG. 3) of the stylus-like member 57, and at that instant, a projection 65 on the member 57 touches an element 66 which halts the downward movement of the key, thus indicating to the operator that he should reduce his pressure on the said key, in order to give the member 57 time to start its travel over the path leading to the edge of the corresponding card (indicated, by way of example at 67). On depressing the key 55 further, the tip 63 of the member 57 travels as far as the edge of a card 67 and is then introduced between the card having the said edge and those which precede it, the latter being finally pushed forwardly. This last operation is carried out between the time the end portion of the driving lever 60 reaches the lower extremity of its corresponding slot '68 and the key 55 adopts a position at the same level, thus actuating the connecting member 59 to cause the member 57 to turn in the clockwise direction.

For the purpose of returning the assembly of elements to its initial position, when the selection operation has been effected, there is provided an element 69 which has a folded end 70 which, at the instant at which the card expelling movement of the member 57 takes place, mounts and looks with a concave edge 71 of the head of the mem- "ber 57, preventing rotation in the anti-clockwise direction of the member 57 against the biasing action of the spring 61, thus impeding the passage of the stylus-like member below the bar 62. A U-shaped portion 79, 791' of element 69 insures contact at all times with member 57'. Subsequently, the said bar 62, slidingly engages the upper portion of the retaining element 69 and releases the member 57. As the member 57 ascends, the guide element 66 pivots on an axis 72 to avoid engagement by projection 65 The guide element 66 is restored to its normal horizpntal position with the aid of small springs (not shown) disposed at its ends.

For the return of the assembly of elements to the inoperative position, once the selection operation has been completed, a spring 73 is provided. An element 74, secured to the rear wall of the apparatus, prevents the driving element 60 from disengaging at its lower aperture 76 (FIG. 3) from a spindle 77.

The key members 55 and the driving members 60 are each formed with apertures 75 and 76 respectively in the lower portion thereof for facilitating. assembly and disassembly, in case of damage, on the spindle 77, grooves 78 being provided on the spindle 77 for the purpose of maintaining the exact spacing between the elements.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are in tended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis diiferent radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the repective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

2. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced dilferent radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position; spring means connected to said stop means permanently urging said stop means into said stopping position thereof; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

3. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced diiferent radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; spring means connected to said selector means permanently urging said selector means into said inoperative position thereof; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second con trol means mounted on said support spaced from said axis diiferent radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

4. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement in a plane transverse to said axis between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support means for movement in another plane transverse to said plane between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, spring means permanently urging said stop means into said operative position thereof; first control means operatively connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative posi- 7 tion for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

5. A rotary card index, comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced dilferent radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement in a plane transverse to said axis between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support means for movement in another plane transverse to said plane between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, spring means permanently urging said stop means into said operative position thereof; first control means mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and operatively connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each sec ond control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

6. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement in a plane transverse to said axis between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support means for movement in another plane transverse to said plane between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position; first control means mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and operatively' connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; spring means urging said stop means into said operating condition thereof and again-st first control means; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced firorn. said axis d-ifierent radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permiting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

7. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartrnent having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance firom said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compart ments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment, said selector means each including a spindle movable in a plane transverse to said axis and having an abutment face intermediate of its ends, a holding element mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and having a first cam face abutting said abutment face in said inoperative position and a second cam face .abuting said abutment face in said operative position of said selector means, and a spring connected to said spindle and said holding element for urging said cam faces against said abutment face; stop means mounted on said support means for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means permanently tending to assume said operative position; first control means operart-ively connecting said selector means to said stop means tor moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and :a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said holding element of said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

8. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plural-ity of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment, said selector means each including a spindle movable in a plane transverse. to said axis and having an abutment face intermediate of its ends, a hold-ing element mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and having a first cam face abutting said abutment face in said inoperative position and a second cam face abutting said abutment face in said operative position of said selector means, and a spring connected to said spindle and said holding element for urging said cam faces against said abutment face; stop means mounted on said support means for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, sm'd stop means permanently tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means vturnably mounted on shafts located on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said holding element of said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

9. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotary member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment, said selector means each including a spindle movable in a plane transverse to said axis and having an abutment face intermediate of its ends, a holding element mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and having a first cam face abutting said abutment face in said inoperative position and a second cam face abutting said abutment face in said operative position of said selector means, and a spring connected to said spindle and said holding element for urging said cam faces against said abutment face; stop means mounted on said support means for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means permanently tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved .to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means turnably mounted on shafts extending substantially parallel to said spindle and located on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected :to said holding element of said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an op erative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected posit-ion.

10. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position, said stop means including a lower element mounted for pivotal movement on said support about another axis extending transverse to said axis, an elongated upper element mounted on said lower element for turning movement about a further axis extending transverse to said other axis and substantially parallel to said axis, and spring means urging said upper element into a holding position transverse to said other axis and said further axis; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

11. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position, said stop means including a lower element mounted for pivotal movement on said support about another axis extending transverse to said axis, an elongated upper element mounted on said lower element for turning movement about a further axis extending transverse to said other axis and substantially parallel to said axis, spring means urging said upper element into a holding position transverse to said other axis and said further axis and a cam-plate mounted on said support for supporting said upper element in said inoperative position thereof; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

12. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having anractuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of rotation of said rotaiy member and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment, said selector means each including a spindle movable in a plane transverse to said axis and having an abutment face intermediate of its ends, a holding element mounted on said stationary support for turning movement thereon and having a first cam face abutting said abutment face in said inoperative position and a second cam face abutting said abutment face in said operative position of said selector means, and a spring connected to said spindle and said holding element for urging said cam faces against said abutment face; stop means mounted on said support means for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means permanently tending to assume said opera tive position, said stop means including a lower element mounted for pivotal movement on said support about another axis extending transverse to said axis, an elongated upper element mounted on said lower element for turning movement about a further axis extending transverse to said other axis and substantially parallel to said axis, and spring means urging said upper element into a holdng position transverse to said other axis and said further axis; first control means operatively connecting said selector means to said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means turnably mounted on shafts extending substantially parallel to said spindle and located ,on said support spaced from said axis ditferent radial distances, corresponding to the radial distances of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said holding element of said selector means, respectively, so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof ,being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the re spective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

13. A rotary card index, comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartrnents for index cards, each compartment having an opening, Wall means, an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; pressure means turnably mounted on each of said compartments for movement to and from an index cards compressing position in which said pressure means are adapted to urge index cards against said wall means; operating means connected to said pressure means for actuating said pressure means; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; and a plurality of second control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position.

14. A rotary card index comprising, in combination, a rotary member having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments for index cards, each compartment having an opening, wall means, an actuating member and a stop member, said actuating members being spaced different radial distances from the axis of said rotary member, and said stop members being spaced the same distance from said axis; pressure means turnably mounted on each of said compartments for movement to and from an index cards compressing position in which said pressure means are adapted to urge index cards against said Wall means; operating means connected to said pressure means or actuating said pressure means; a stationary support; a plurality of selector means, respectively associated with said compartments, and mounted on said support for movement between a normal inoperative position and an operative position for selecting a compartment; stop means mounted on said support for movement between a stopping position projecting into the path of movement of said stop members and an inoperative position, said stop means tending to assume said operative position; first control means operatively connecting said selector means and said stop means for moving said stop means to said inoperative position when any one selector means is moved to the operative position thereof; a plurality of second 13 control means mounted on said support spaced from said axis different radial distances corresponding to the radial positions of said actuating members, said second control means being connected to said selector means, respectively so as to move with the same between an inoperative normal position and an operative position, each second control means in said operative position thereof being located in the path of movement of one of said actuating members, respectively, and being moved by the same to said inoperative position for returning the respective selector means to said normal inoperative position so that the respective selector means releases said first control means permitting said stop means to move to said stopping position engaging the stop member associated with the respective actuating member whereby said rotary member is stopped in a position in which the respective selected compartment is located in a selected position; and a cam means mounted on said rotary member and connected to said operating means for automatically actuating said operating means when the respective selected compartment is located in said selected position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jones May 31, 1910 Kuffel Dec. 20, 1910 Higdon Nov. 23, 1920 Studer June 14, 1921 Hentzschel Apr. 16, 1929 Tillman Jan. 28, 1930 Bruen Mar. 18, 1941 Miller June 8, 1943 Fahlstedt May 28, 1946 Stiening May 11, 1948 Bertello Apr. 18, 1950 Clough Nov. 10, 1953 Cole Mar. 4, 1958 Abbott et a1 Mar. 25, 1960 

